1 Day Outing: South Lake Photo Tour (Bishop Creek)
Bishop’s big backyard is a playground that depending on your day’s activities, will give you a different perspective on a place you may have visited before. For example, you might have gone fishing or hiking during your previous South Lake adventure. But have you captured it with a camera? Here’s a one-day itinerary highlighting a few of our favorite spots to photograph the Eastern Sierra in all its glory.
Photo Stop 1: Downtown Bishop
While most “Main Streets” have come and gone in small-town America, Bishop is a living time capsule that needs to be photographed. One landmark that stands out and is photogenic both inside and out is the Bishop Twin Theatre, especially since being lovingly restored.
Photo Stop 2: View of the Sierra
As you ascend out of town on Line Street West (towards the Sierra) / Highway 168, the mighty peaks of the High Sierra unfold before you. While there are dozens of spots to pull over and capture their beauty, one in particular stands out. Just past Buttermilk Road, you’ll want to pull off (easily accessed) at Starlite Road.
Photo Stop 3: Buttermilk Country
If you’re up for a bit of an auto tour adventure, head back down to Buttermilk Road, which is a dirt road. This is the gateway to one of Bishop’s premier bouldering locations. Be sure to get out of your car for a leisurely stroll along well-worn climbers’ trails in and around the gargantuan boulders of Buttermilk Hill.
Photo Stop 4: Tyee Lakes Bridge
As you get back onto Highway 168 West, continue to South Lake Road and turn left. A few miles down the road, on the right-hand side just before Parchers Resort, you’ll find the Tyee Lakes Trailhead. Here, just a stone’s throw from the road, you’ll discover a one-of-a-kind bridge that crosses over a creek and is worthy of a photo.
Photo Stop 5: South Lake
Located where the road ends, this shimmering body of water is one of the top 5 photogenic lakes to visit by car. It’s hard to resist the slopes of the surrounding peaks jutting up from the shoreline. If that’s not enough, you’ll find hiking trails that lead to over a dozen lakes within a few hours, including Treasure Lake.
Tips on Photography
The Eastern Sierra’s scenery makes it difficult not to capture a beautiful picture. Even if you aren’t inherently artistic, it will spark creativity deep in your soul. When that moment does arise, look for seasonal changes like fall foliage, the first snowfall, or the wildflower bloom to help make your photo stand out. The hours around sunrise and sunset provide dramatic light to play with. And if you’re a night owl, Bishop’s the ideal location for night sky photography.
